Limar is known for its ultra light helmets with the range topping and does-what-it-says-on-the-tin ULTRALIGHT claiming to be the lightest lid around. The 777 continues this trend coming in at a very competitive 243 grams for the large size tested. All this at the (cheap by today's standards) price of £69.99, surely there's some kind of catch?

Putting the 777 on for the first time, it's clear that head coverage has been sacrificed in the pursuit of light weight. Whilst it still conforms to the EU standards that all helmets are required to pass, one can't help but feel a little exposed in comparison to a helmet with greater coverage. Part of this feeling is due to the retention system which sits quite high up on the rear of the head. It's not vertically adjustable either so you're stuck with it in that position. In terms of stability though, the 777's lack of weight means that it stays firmly in place with no wobble whatsoever.

The retention system is adjusted radially by using a large, rubberised rotating dial which is easy to use even with thick gloves on. Each clockwise turn is accompanied with a satisfying click letting you know that you are tightening it up. The dial also features a sort of quick release button, but I never really felt the need to use this feature as turning the dial anti-clockwise worked just as well. Of note is that fact that the plastic cradle runs around the entire circumference of the helmet resulting in a more uniform tightening around the head. Some helmets can make you feel as if you forehead is being squashed into the front of the helmet which is about as comfortable as it sounds. The 777's cradle design resolves this problem completely.

Whilst the padding inside the 777 is sparse, comfort doesn't seem to have been affected by this. It would have been nice to have a full forehead pad though, to prevent the occasional bead of sweat from dripping down into my eyes. One of my pet hates is getting insects flying into my hair while riding along and it's great to see that Limar have added some mesh to the front vents to stop this happening. Another nice touch is the inclusion of a chin pad to tidy up unsightly strap ends which is especially useful given the helmet's extra long straps.

The 777 features 22 air vents which are evenly distributed over the helmet's surface. A series of medium sized frontal vents suck air into the helmet but the in theory you might expect the small exit vents and lack of deep internal channels would seem to compromise ventilation. In practice, ventilation is reasonable for a lid in the price range although it is noticeably worse than top-of-the-range models with larger vents. The ventilation issues are partly offset by the shear lack of weight which does help make the helmet feel very airy.

The 777 is available in 2 sizes which should satisfy the large majority of head shapes, as well as 5 different colour schemes. The Limar range also features the 757 which is identical except for the addition of a visor.

Verdict

From a sheer numbers point of view, the Limar would seem to be on to a winner with the 777. The helmet is exceptionally light for this price bracket, and this lack of mass genuinely does make a difference in use. The retention system's lack of vertical adjustability is a downside though, ruling it out for those who like a more secure feeling fit at the rear.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Limar 777 Road Helmet

Size tested: Silver - Unisize L 55/61

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

According to Limar, the 777 is designed for "demanding road riders" and features "In-mould monoshell technology for top protection; soft pads, bidirectional sizing system for perfect fit and super comfort, designed airvents. All of this available in trendy, aerodynamic shapes for a modern looking style."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Rider Profile: Road enthusiast

Air Vents: 22

Size: M (50-57 cm), L (55-61 cm)

Weight: M: 200 gr/ L 230 gr

Size System: Bidirectional sizing system with quick release

Pads: Washable ergonomic pads

Technology: Monoshell In-Mould

Rate the product for quality of construction:

8/10

The moulding is very neat and tidy with few split lines and other imperfections. The plastic used in the cradle does seem a little cheap and flimsy though

Rate the product for performance:

8/10

Very light and with reasonable ventilation, the 777 does everything you could expect from a helmet in this price range

Rate the product for durability:

7/10

The helmet has withstood a number of trips without any noticeable cosmetic damage. I've yet to properly crash it though

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:

9/10

Its weight is right up there with much more expensive offerings

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:

8/10

The full wraparound cradle ensures a fit with no tight spots. The retention system could really do with some vertical adjustability to suit a wider range of personal preferences

For 5 years, racing was my life and I went all the way from a newbie bonking after 40 miles, to a full-timer plying my trade on the Belgian kermesse scene. Unfortunately, the pro dream wasn't meant to be and these days, you're more likely to find me bimbling about country lanes and sleeping in a bush on the side of the road.

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Every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a real insight into whether it works or not. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective, and we strive to ensure that all opinions expressed are backed up by facts, but reviews are always a reviewer's informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores. It reflects both a product's function and value. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. Here's what they mean: